Translated simply, the French word tressage just means weaved or plaiting, and if you were to look at the bags above, from Louis Vuiton’sSpring-Summer 2017 collection, it all makes natural sense. Known as the Monogram Tressage collection, these vertical totes are pretty different from the small and ladylike bags that are more commonplace at the French luxury house these days.

Resembling an Alma that has been extended vertically, there’s the addition of a thick canvas weave on the coated-canvas bags, which besides adding some visual interest, also adds support (and structure) to a bag that would otherwise be pretty floppy in the middle.

Available in Monogram Canvas or Monogram Reverse Canvas, both bags come finished with a pair of top handles that while are too short to wear over the shoulder, do come with an additional sling that solves that conundrum with ease. And while I’ve yet to receive its retail prices in Singapore, I’m pretty sure you can walk into any Louis Vuitton and find out more from the friendly SAs there.

And if you find yourself in a queue (because Louis Vuitton has been drawing such long lines lately), you can always play the game we atBagaholicboy specially created for LV, simply known as ‘V Mine’. Try it, it’s addictive.

LOUIS VUITTON ALMA FLOWER BAG

It’s not your fault if you want an early Christmas gift; the Louis Vuitton Alma Flower Bag is literally to-die-for. Ladies, this is an exclusive edition of the iconic Alma Bag
And we thought that the Alma Chain Flower print was a gem, but that all changed after we meet the Alma Flower Bag. This Blooming Bag tells a romantic story of the House’s savoir-faire. Individually cut and coloured leather blossoms are set with metal rivets on glamorous Monogram Vernis patent calf.
Look at it, the Louis Vuitton Alma Flower Bag shines like a star, its made to be your number #1 BFF. With its help, every night will be yours – steal it naturally.
The bag comes is also made with gold metal pieces, the top opens and closes with double zip closure. To refine the design, it comes with a padlock and key bell. The interior is made with one large compartment as well as a smartphone pocket.
Measuring 9.4′ x 6.7′ x 4.7′ inches (L x H x W), priced at $2230 USD, €1620 euro, £1510 GBP, $18500 HKD, $2800 AUD, ¥262440 JPY via Louis Vuitton boutiques. Louis Vuitton releases another limited edition handbag this season. Presenting the Monogram Vernis Alma Flower Bag. The iconic Alma features individually cut leather flowers with metal rivets. It has shiny gold-colour metal pieces. This style is currently only available in BB size, and comes in two colors, Rose Ballerine and Amarante. The Alma Flower is a feminine take on the classic Alma Bag, perfect to use from day to night.

The Horizon, also known as the luxurious rolling luggage designed by Marc Newson for Louis Vuitton, is quite simply a sight to behold inMonogram Eclipse. Basically the Black/Grey rendition of Monogram Canvas(you would know this if you’ve read the first and second posts of this series), you could say it has come full circle as far the Horizon is concerned.

In honour of his late father Louis Vuitton, who started the business making travelling trunks for the crème de la crème of society, Georges Vuitton created and dedicated the Monogram Canvas pattern to him all those years ago. Today, it continues to adorn the luggage pieces of modern travellers, with this being one of them.

Only available in size 55 as far as the Horizon in Monogram Eclipse is concerned, it’s only an ultra-light piece of the luggage, the SGD4250luggage measuring some 55 cm by 39 cm by 21 cm is also the ideal carry-on size for most airlines. Framed by a cane handle that tucks away completely when not in use, the larger than normal handle isn’t big just from a design perspective, it also allows for eased manoeuvrability. And with the 4 compact wheels at the bottom, moving from point to point within the airport (even if you’re in hurry and with a full luggage) would be easy.

IMAGE: JSK FOR LOUIS VUITTON

On the inside you’ll find generous compartments that are also flat, which is possible only because the cane handle is positioned at the sides and not in the middle like most other four-wheeled luggages. Finished with a pull zipper closure padlock system that’s also TSA-approved, this is the perfect carry-on for the executive on the go, shuttling from city to city on an almost weekly basis.

For this, and more pieces from the Monogram Eclipse collection, you can follow this link to have a look. Better yet, pop into Louis Vuitton boutiques across the island, including ION Orchard, Marina Bay Sands and Ngee Ann City to see how tradition and modernity have combined to culminate in the most beautiful effect.

As you get older like me (ouch!), you will find yourself wanting to carry bags with less weight. A month ago, I went to the Louis Vuitton boutique and saw the cutest mini bags. They are lightweight and easy to carry because of the shoulder strap which works for crossbody wear. Alongside the classic mini pieces (speedy, noe, alma), there was the mini version of the Monogram Dora.

It is a very cute, structured nano bag. But woaah the price is already at par with that of a regular sized Speedy! Would you rather go with this adorable little bag or would you pay for the larger Speedy?

The Monogram Nano Dora can fit a card case, your phone, a lipstick, a powder compact, and probably a pair of sunnies, though I won’t exactly push it only because I don’t know how squished it might get inside with all your other things. But it definitely fits

I would probably buy this bag if I have a lot of $$$, but hah since I am currently cutting down on the stuff that has cluttered my closet, I will just save my money for something else

And speaking of clutter, I decided to put up a group on Facebook called THE CLOSET RAIDERS. This is an online bulletin board for everyone to post CLOTHES and SHOES (no bags or wallets please– if you have a designer bag *worth over PhP 10K, send me a PM on instagram.com/shopthebaghag for consignment) that they no longer use or wear. I have a lot of stuff I will post in the next month, after I get back from my fashion week travels. It is a closed group so please ask to be added

Last week you discovered what bags Louis Vuitton had to offer as far as their new Monogram Eclipse bags were concerned, which included everything from iconic classics to new styles given the Black/Greytreatment, which have been a hit since the day they launched. Today we turn our attention to the essentials we will use most every day, the small leather goods (or SLGs) that are as handsome as it gets when it comes to the vast array available now from this collection.

First up, a pair of the larger SLGs (shown above) that are big for a good reason. On the left, we’ve got the Pochette Voyage MM (SGD960), a 26 cm by 20 cm zip clutch that’s trimmed with cowhide leather on the top. Small as it might sound, it’s actually pretty roomy, and you can fit a lot in, wallet, mobile charger, keys, mints and then some.

On the right is the Zippy XL Wallet, for those who have too much to carry around on any given day, or (and more seriously), the perfect travel wallet. What’s on the inside? Well, for starters, 16 credit card slots, 3 gusseted compartments and 2 flat compartments for cash and receipts. Then there’s the extra large coin compartment, and even a pocket on the inside that will fit most smartphones, which is always a bonus. And when it’s priced at SGD1710, you really can’t argue with that, especially when it comes with so much on the inside.

IMAGE: JSK FOR LOUIS VUITTON

Next we’ve got the 4 more SLGs that are truly everyday essentials. From the iPad Cover Box (SGD1710) that keeps your iPad safe along with 12 credit slots on the inside, it’s like the perfect mini workbag on the go, assuming of course you’re one who works extensively on the go.

Classics in their own right, here are the 3 wallets (from the left to right) that no man I know will not mind owning, from the Pocket Organiser (SGD455) to the Multiple Wallet (SGD670) and of course, theBrazza Wallet (SGD830). One’s a card case (with a flap), the other’s your standard classic billfold and lastly, the long wallet for those who believe in more is more.

IMAGE: JSK FOR LOUIS VUITTON

And to round up the collection, here are some accompanying pieces you could consider if you’re all about the matchy-matchy when it comes to the things you own. From your standard keychain (SGD455) that you could attached your car (or house) keys to, to the 16 cm by 11 cm Box Clutch (SGD1350) that’s sort of your tiny wallet on the go (think lunch bag, but for boys), complete with credit card slots and flat pockets for cash.

Then there’s the Ribbon Cardholder Box and the Ribbon Cardholder, which I think will be extremely useful for those who work in corporate environments that require keycard access from point to point. Priced from SGD505, you can pick them all out now at Louis Vuitton boutiques across Singapore. Or follow this link and check out the full collection online, where you’ll find so much more available for sale from the new Monogram Eclipse collection.

The heart for love, the YSL for Yves Saint Laurent. We’ve received a lot of great reaction about the Saint Laurent Monogram Blogger Heart Bag. So much that we needed to do a ‘Closer Look’ story.

The shape of a camera bag – squared but with round edges. Small hearts are embellished all over the bag and featuring the YSL signature in the middle. The message is clear, love is Saint Laurent and Saint Laurent is love.

The color black enhances the silver hearts; it’s a great shade. The zipper is not ordinary either; it’s attached to a long tassel. And so it’s a great bag to carry around your shoulder or cross body while letting the tassel sling left and right.

The interior amazing also, besides the large compartment to store all your essentials, it also comes with four card slots. And for the instant-essentials, it also comes with a back patch pocket. Measuring 11.5 x 13.5 x 5 (H x W x D) cm, priced at €850 euro, £655 GBP, $1495 CAD, $1610 SGD, $1305 AUD, ¥125000 JPY